If he can't play in this game, why do we need him to play against the spurs? It is going to be more intense and the chance to win is small no matter he plays or not.
Going 1-4 against subpar/mediocre teams without McGrady out there -- with a statistically-dominant Yao who's doing everything but will his team to wins -- isn't going to keep us in playoffs picture for too long...definitely not in the West, not when a .500 record isn't even good enough to earn an 8th seed. The playoffs are NOT a certainty if McGrady's injury becomes a season-long issue (which it likely will)...sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
I completely agree which is why I say....play him....if he is feeling better....put his arse on the court. Having one or two extra days rest is not going to matter one bit as far as a recurrance of the injury. If he is healthy enough to sit on the Jimmy Kimmel stage and rock back and forth and laugh etc......he is good enough to play ball. Tmac needs to pull his panties out of his vagina and play ball. DD
Makes perfect sense! How can anyone disagree with this? Playing professional ball is no more a strain on your back than sitting at home on your recliner!
Have you seen the way he is moving on that show? Tmac is a drama queen, say what you will but the guy is made of glass and is harly a warrior. When he is hurt, he is hurt...but if his back is not as bad as last year, he needs to be on the court earning his paycheck. Coddling him will not strengthen the muscles one bit nor will it prevent a recurrence.... Tmac needs to get out there and give it a go...if he can practice and shoot, he can help the team. Tmac...should be playing. DD
Injuries need rest and recuperation. Back injuries are no different. If he had a sprained ankle yesterday would you throw him out there? Of course not! You give him the time he needs to recover. This is basic LOGIC. And why don't you say Bob Sura should be out there??? It's not like he's lying down in a hospital bed! If he is breathing and walking then he can help the team.
He can't play if he's not cleared by the team doctors, period. I don't think it's fair to question the 'toughness' of an injured player, especially not when it comes to something as serious as back injuries...that's just not fair at all. If it was a finger nail or a scratch or a headache or something, then question away. Otherwise, he will definitely hurt -- not help -- the team if he can't physically perform.
Fair enough, but do you honestly think if this were the playoffs that Tmac would be on the sidelines....I don't. Tmac is soft, always has been, always will be....Yao needs to step up, cause Tmac will never lead a team, he just doesn't have the qualities or the health...and certainly not the desire. DD
Who Cares he gets paid millions to either play or give the Rockets their money back so we can get someone who will play...T-Mac is my favorite player but this is my first negative post against him. Suck it up Tracy or retire
wow, your love of Vince is leading to Alzheimer's. McGrady has been half-assing lately because of his back. Did you question his heart the first year he was here? Or was that all a blur?
I think Tmac is a fine player, but come on, do you honestly see that competitive fire in Tmac that you see in the all time greats? Tmac has that ability, but Jordan, Bird, Magic, Dream.....all had a passion for the game....Tmac coasts too often.....far too often. DD
Yes, I do, and I think the authorities responsible for making these decisions would not under most circumstances put a franchise player out there on the court if he can't physically perform. I disagree with that statement. He's consistently played through injuries when it was feasible. He's a drama queen, I will give you that, but he's not a 'soft' player. I think he has the desire to win and he clearly wanted out of Orlando so he could win. However, his health -- or lack thereof -- is the biggest reason why Yao will have no choice but to become the leader of this team, even when McGrady comes back.
Of course, we would also expect you to forfeit $60 million in guaranteed money if you were in his position. We have a bunch of hypocrites on this board...
LeBron does a wonderful job of coasting too and yet he is regarded..no...given the throne to the NBA already. Comparing McGrady to all time greats won't get you anywhere. I don't like how McGrady's situation/career has presented itself either but you can't tell me that McGrady, without the chronic back injury, wouldn't have passion and a competitive spirit for the game.
BTW, just read on the Chron that Mac didn't practice today. He was too sore from yesterday's workout, and that he is probably out for the Spurs game. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4417562.html I hate you Tmac, you are crippling this team
I have to agree with DD, I mean just play, if he gets hurt again or for the season then when don't have to worry about him coming back or waiting every day for status on his back. I've said this in the pre-season that his back issues will never go away and we shouldv'e traded him for AI in the pre-season. Don't get me wrong, I love what TMAC adds to this team, but the Rockets organization will forever be stuck with a franchise player with a very bad back.
If that is the case, then I reverse my stand on him playing. I thought he was practicing. Or it could be that the team figures they will lose Friday anyway....so bring him back in a less competitive game. Tmac's back is a major problem....I can't see how he is going to get through the playoffs if simply jumping can injure his back so severely. DD
